This species is known from the Pacific slopes of the Sierra Madre del Sur, in central Guerrero, and central and south-western Oaxaca, Mexico. It probably occurs at more localities than have been mapped within its general range.

Habitat and Ecology

It occurs in cloud and pine-oak forests at 700-1,070m asl and is commonly found in shallow water or on low vegetation along mountain streams. It breeds in streams.

Population

This is a rare species, and it appears to have undergone declines.

Population Trend

decreasing

Major Threats

The high rate of habitat disturbance, due to agricultural activities within forested areas in Mexico, and specifically in Oaxaca and Guerrero, is the main threat to this species. Recent declines might also be due to chytridiomycosis.

Conservation Actions

The range of this species does not include any protected areas, and improved protection of the forests of south-western Oaxaca and the central highlands of Guerrero is urgently needed. Close population monitoring is required, especially given the potential threat of chytridiomycosis. This species is protected by Mexican law under the "Special Protection" category (Pr).

Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU)

Rationale

Listed as Vulnerable because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 20,000 km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat, and in the number of mature individuals, in Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico.

Taxonomic Notes

This species was previously included in the genus Hyla but has recently been moved to the resurrected genus Exerodonta (Faivovich et al. 2005).